Huff's Bill for Firing Teachers Stalls in Committee

A proposed bill seeking to speed up the process for firing teachers for unprofessional or criminal conduct stalled Wednesday in the state Senate Education Committee.

Senate Bill 1059, authored by Sen. Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), who represents Sierra Madre, was inspired by recent sexual abuse cases in Los Angeles. Huff said that the Los Angeles Unified School District and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa supported the measure.

However, the Education Committee voted on a second bill related to firing teachers, reported the Los Angeles Times.  Senate Bill 1530, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), received an initial vote in the committee of 8 to 0, earning bipartisan support, the newspaper reported. 

The bill provides school boards greater authority when firing teachers.  It would also get rid of requirements that teachers be notified about disciplinary charges before being removed from the classroom when the allegations involve sex abuse, drugs or violence. The bill goes to the Senate Appropriation Committee next.

"Every parent should have confidence that their local school is a safe and nurturing environment for their children," Padilla said in a news release.   "Because a school board is ultimately responsible for ensuring a safe learning environment, the school board should be empowered to act decisively to protect children."

The California Teachers Association opposes both bills.  President Dean Vogel told the L.A. Times that the proposed bills did nothing to get to the root of the problem and were not needed.

Huff voted in support of Padilla’s bill but had said in a press release prior to the hearing that he felt it "falls short in protecting our school-aged children." 

Huff's bill was more extensive than Padilla’s, calling for teachers to be stripped of retirement and benefits if convicted of a felony related to their jobs and pushing for them to be removed from the classroom altogether if they are under investigation for offenses related to certain sex, drugs or violence against students.